High-speed Saudi rail on track for year-end launch

RIYADH, June 18, 2017

The Haramain Express Train, which will connect the Saudi cities of Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah's airport and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, has been tested successfully and the project is now on track for completion by the year-end, said a report.

The high-speed rail ran a successful trip from King Abdullah City in Rabigh to Madinah at speeds of up to 300 km per hour, reported the Arab News, citing the acting head of the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO).

Rumaih bin Mohammed Al Rumaih, who is also the chairman of the Public Transport Authority, said the electric railway will be 450 km long.

Trains will run between Makkah and Madinah in two hours, and are projected to serve 60 million passengers annually, he added.